Pair of Artona Nightstands / Side Tables by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 24.02 in (61 cm)Width: 25.01 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 11.82 in (30 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2259333457782
Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Widely recognized as superstars of postmodern Italian design, husband-and-wife team Afra and Tobia Scarpa (1937–2011; b. 1935) collaboratively created chairs, sofas and other furniture that work equally well in both traditional and cutting-edge environments.
Ranging from architecture and interior design to furniture and clothing, the Scarpas’ practice from its beginnings in the mid-1950s to the 21st century has included a diverse scope of projects combining new technology with thoughtful function and sculptural yet simple forms.
Afra Bianchin and Tobia Scarpa met as architecture students at the Università Iuav di Venezia. In a class led by architect and furniture designer Franco Albini, they created their first collaborative piece, the Pigreco armchair, later produced with Gavina. After graduating in 1957, Tobia worked for Murano glass company Venini & Co. before the couple opened a studio in Afra’s hometown, Montebelluna, in 1960. (Tobia, the son of famed glass artist and architect Carlo Scarpa, was born in Venice.)
For Afra and Tobia, a close collaborative process was pivotal to the success of their designs. The duo was also prolific — they designed for the most influential European manufacturers, including B&B Italia, Cassina, Knoll and FLOS. With respect to the latter, Afra and Tobia were among the legendary Italian lighting maker’s earliest collaborators, and their pioneering designs for the brand included the Papillon lamp, one of the first fixtures to use halogen technology. Their most recognized designs include the Bastiano sofa (1962), the Vanessa bed (1959), the Coronado sofa (1966) and the Soriana seating collection (1970). Work on the Soriana sofa began in late 1969 for an early 1970 debut, and it feels as radical today as it did in its heyday.
Architecture was also a central part of Afra and Tobia’s practice, which spanned residential buildings and factories for Italian companies such as Benetton. Their commissions for the global fashion brand included numerous industrial projects, from textile plants to storefronts. By 1985, Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s work was celebrated in a 30-year retrospective at Center Four in Queens, New York. Looking around the 30,000-square-foot exhibition space, Afra joked to the New York Times, “Seeing all those things makes us feel very tired, and now we feel that maybe we worked too much.”
It was not too much for their legacy, as Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s work continues to inspire new generations. Scarpa designs are in collections at the Louvre, the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The couple was awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1970 for the Soriana armchair.
Find vintage Afra & Tobia Scarpa lounge chairs, dining chairs, floor lamps and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Philadelphia, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Set of Six Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Italy, 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in London, GBA rare set of six stunning Africa chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and produced by Maxalto, Italy. These are great examples in rare exotic hardwood, burl, black leather and brass. Very good original condition with normal minor age related signs of use and wear. Also available and sold separately is the matching table from the dining set. We also have an additional set of 4 Africa...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Four Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Italy, 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in London, GBA rare set of four stunning Africa chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and produced by Maxalto, Italy. These are great examples in rare exotic hardwood, burl, black ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Ten Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Italy, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in London, GBA rare set of ten stunning Africa chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and produced by Maxalto, Italy. These are great examples in rare exotic hardwood, burl, black l...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Soriana Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Original Fabric, Italy, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in London, GBA superb pair of original Soriana chairs, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and produced by Cassina in the 1970s. These examples are a rare find indeed - all in great condition with or...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Soriana Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Original Fabric, Italy, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in London, GBA superb 3 seat original Soriana sofa, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and produced by Cassina in the 1970s. This example is a rare find indeed - all in great condition with original clean wool fabric. We also have a matching pair of chairs...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Original Pair of 1970s Meret Oppenheim Traccia Tables, Gavina, ItalyBy Meret Oppenheim, Dino GavinaLocated in London, GBAn original pair of 1970s Meret Oppenheim Traccia tables. This pair manufactured by Gavina, Italy in the 1970s. Oval shaped, original gold leaf top featuring bird footprints, on top ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBronze, Gold Leaf
- 20th Century Afra & Tobia Scarpa Pair of Artona Nightstands for Maxalto, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Turin, TurinSince their first meeting at IUAV in Venice to their move to the Venetian countryside, Tobia Scarpa and Afra Bianchin shared first a degree, then a marriage and a career that marked ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsMetal
- Tobia & Afra Scarpa Bedroom Set Artona with Bed and Nightstands by Maxalto 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITBedroom set from Artona series composed by one double-bed frame and a couple of nightstands in walnut wood, leather and metal details. Designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa and produced...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsMetal
- Artona Double bed by Afra e Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Padova, ITThe Artona line by the Scarpa duo was the first line ever produced by Maxalto, the specialist division of B&B Italia. This well designed bed convinces visually trough its syabile c...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Artona bed in walnut by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy 1970sBy Tobia Scarpa, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Argelato, BOArtona bed in walnut and leather designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for the Maxalto company, Italy, 1970s The Artona line by Afra and Tobia Scarpa was the fir...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Tobia & Afra Scarpa Artona Bed Frame in Walnut and Leather by Maxalto 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITArtona double-bed frame in walnut wood, black leather and metal details. Designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in 1970s. The bed-frame is caratcterized by it's...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsMetal
- Tobia & Afra Scarpa Set of Two Nightstands in Walnut by Maxalto 1970s ItalyBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITA couple of Artona nightstands in walnut wood and metal details. Designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in 1970s. The night stands reflect on the wood structure...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsMetal